Banned from Purchasing from an eBay Store - Computer Alliance after returning an item

Just wondering if others have had a similar experience with any ebay sellers after you return an item?

Here is what happened..

I purchased a full size razer keyboard from CA and when it arrived it was too big for my desk, i'm an ebay plus member so i have free returns and thought i will return it as its not suitable and will instead purchase the tenkey less version. I messaged them regarding swapping and paying the difference which was never replied to.

I purchased the tenkey less version also from CA (there was 20% off at the time of these sales) and put through a request to return the full size one the same day it arrived. I was then told because i opened the box they wouldn't provide me with a full refund only partial and i replied that its not used and eventually had to go through ebay support and was able to get my full refund.

Fast forward to today browsing the ebay plus sales and i tried to add an item to the cart from CA and it doesn't allow me i get an error, i speak with ebay support and they said there are some buyer requirements set which can be preventing me and to contact the seller. I contacted CA and i got this reply:

"Look like there was some issue with returning a keyboard in the past. Better you buy elsewhere"

Has anyone else had an issue like this before? I find it ridiculous that because i returned an item they ban me from any future purchases, it doesn't sound like good business practice to me, what happens if something happens to an item that's under warranty would they also just ban the user from any future purchases because its an inconvenience to them?

Related Stores

Computer Alliance
Computer Alliance

Comments

      • No shame yes, I want to be able to test run items. Especially electronics as reviews are hardly reliable. Practically testing an equipment is the best way to know if it suits you well and it just happens to come across that there's a loophole in the returns policy.

        • +1

          Test running the dimensions of the keyboard hardly requires the item though, wouldn't you agree?

    • +2

      The small business owner in me just died a little reading that :(

    • +3

      This is why pccasegear went off ebay. As they do all RMA check in-house first and usually will send replacement/new if fault. It by far, the quickest rma process I have used.

      Ebay just allow buyer to keep the item without returning the item to seller to get a refund. Most seller just cop the refund, as usually return shipping with tracking cost more and chances the buyer will just send you a rock.

  • +3

    Off topic, but I find it annoying that eBay doesn’t a a “blocked sellers” list. I’d love to hide some shitty sellers from my search results.

    • Why would they? That would be detrimental to their business.

  • +5

    I sell quite a bit on eBay.

    Change of mind returns cost me time and money. I have to offer "Free returns" in order to get better search ranking and lower fees from eBay.

    People who ask for returns get them, they also get blocked from future purchases as i'd prefer to sell to other people.

    • Please provide an arrangement of the facts which don't make the Op look like a douche.

      Change of mind return, didn't want to pay restocking fee. Don't know how you can hide that.

      • How about

        I bought an item with ebay plus using the 'free returns' and then the seller banned me for using it

        • +5

          Seems to contain a bunch of omissions and also some deliberate deception.

          The former is obvious.

          The latter is that they weren't banned for using eBay free returns per se, they were banned for circumventing the restocking fee because they didn't like the answer they received.

          But yeah if they had opened with your statement, the mob would have been on their side. Still, might as well have posted "CA banned be for no reason"… Or just not posted at all if OP was going to blatantly lie.

        • +3

          Free returns means free shipping and not free restocking fee on opened goods

  • Those computer stores like computer alliance and centrecom hate return items

    • +2

      Geez. Tell me which stores loves returned items

  • +2

    Standard practice for computer stores like Computer Alliance, Umart Online etc (I used to work at the latter).

    20% restocking fee is pretty standard at these places as items are bought bulk and there is a smaller margin of profit - i.e x amount needs to sell before break even. Thus you can get a good price but you need to be 100% sure what you want and how it will serve your needs.

    Once you open the box, as it is electronics, customers do not want to pay the full price for an item and understandably so.

    I'd suggest next time buy at JB/HN where their margin will cover it…

  • +1

    So you got your full refund and they banned you?

    I think just suck it up. PCCG is awesome to buy from so just buy from them in the future. Make a new account with them if you're that desperate to give them your money.

    • I've always found PCCG prices to be higher than umart etc and the shipping two years ago killed it.

      Service is good though.

  • +5

    A business doesn't have to accept a return because "you don't like it". They only have to accept returns on faulty items. They would probably have to resell an opened keyboard as a clearance item and wouldn't be able to get full price for it. That's why they only offered you a partial refund. Sure from a customer service side of things it's not great but what you did as a customer was pretty crappy.

  • +4

    Take responsibility for your life.

    Take responsibility for your choice of purchase.

    Take responsibility and accept the consequences of your actions.

    This my child, will give you purpose, this is the meaning of life. Be responsible.

  • Change of mind does sting. But hey I get you OP.

  • +2

    its unfortunate, but fault is at all parties. ebay for false sense of advertising on ebay plus entitlements, op for not being patient, CA for not obeying ebay plus terms…

    I once went through even more bizarre experience. Bought an item from seller. week later it was still not posted, when I went through messaging system, they did not reply and had to go through ebay support to escalate. In the end received a refund, but was banned from the store. About a month later had a message from them telling they would not sell to a customer that had not purchased the main product from them… (what i bought was an accessory for an item i already owned)

    • +1

      what the hell is this. unbelievable what sellers can think of just to ban people

  • +1

    OP would you buy a keybaord listed as new that has been opened?

  • +2

    Better you buy elsewhere.

  • I've returned an item to computer alliance, and then bought stuff later from them without issue.

    • +2

      You probably weren't an asshat

  • +2

    I’ve purchased from computer alliance before for a razor mechanical keyboard over $200. A few keys were faulty, made a claim through ebay plus just within 30 days to return the item. Computer Alliance didn’t bother to refund (they dont seem to read messages or requests) so eBay stepped in and refunded me instead. I’m still not banned so depends on the case I guess. Unlucky for OP

  • +2

    Good Guys banned me after eBay refunded me in full after a dispute case for a Samsung 4K TV with severe backlight bleed that Good Guys said was normal and wouldn't accept a return or exchange, just forwarded me to Samsung.

    The manager from the store that dispatched it even rang me abusing me and called me a thief and said I'm banned from the physical store also, and if I don't pay the money back, they'd take me to court. He then hung up violently, and that was 3 and a half years ago, and haven't heard anything since. Still banned from eBay store though.

    • Did you get to keep the TV?

      • +3

        Yes, and Samsung replaced it with a new model after 2 panel replacements that didn't fix it.

        Good Guys never asked for the TV back. They just accused me of stealing it, and demanded their money back which I ignored as I figured with my small amount of legal knowledge that Good Guys had no standing to demand money from me after my point of purchase already refunded me under their guarantees.

        TGG's problem was with eBay, not me as far as I could give a toss. I'll happily cop a ban for a free TV as much as that makes me seem like a dick.

        I just get my old man to purchase my stuff from them now when there's a sale (which admittingly isn't often anymore).

      • That's incredibly dishonest. You got a full refund and kept the TV?

        Fair enough you got a refund, I had a similar issue with a Samsung TV and had to deal with Samsung, thank your lucky stars you didn't have to.
        The TV should have been returned after the refund was made. (at their expense and effort).

        In my personal opinion I don't think keeping the TV is morally acceptable and does constitute theft in a round about way. Their problem to persue though, it they didn't ask for it back why should you go to the effort.

    • +3

      He then hung up violently…

      I distinctly recall hanging up very gently.

  • I got blacklisted from ProGadgets for getting a refund on a case they sent incorrectly. Just get over it and move on. Lol

    • I usually take these up with ebay Plus customer service and got a full refund of my ebay Plus membership after 11.5 months lol and a free google home mini, 3 months stan, etc etc

  • +1

    That sucks. I love how people are pissed off eBay plus get free returns. What's the point of the service? if you use it, then most likely they will ban you from your next purchase.
    I got eBay plus free trial, everyone I was buying from wasn't apart of eBay plus.
    Before I knew it eBay plus trial ran out, and I got charged $48 for the year. But I called them up and got the refund for the subscription. Not worth the money right now, they need better perks.

  • +1

    well, good job CA! stop wasting seller's time and money!

  • +1

    Is that you Craig banning people from ebay store for a paltry sum and driving a Lamby ! Wow

  • You think you've got problems.

    I have to keep a spreadsheet to keep track of all the places i've been banned from.

  • +6

    I hate buyer who buy stuff without doing proper research. Seller will get the opener good and cannot resell at the same price. Who is going to compensate for the loss? Doing your research and measure your table up before buying. Hate these dumb FXXX buyer

  • +6

    Won't buy from CA asnyway. Owner has artitude and no customer skills. May be a QLD thing

  • You got banned for doing a change of mind, which acl doesnt say they have to do. Id be po if i was the seller.

  • +2

    not surprisingly, I got banned a couple of years ago when I try to buy a phone from an eBay reseller. I got banned because I asked too many questions regarding the warranty, shipping etc.

    • I've banned before people for that too. (before they bought)

      I could just tell they're going to be a punish. Not reading the item description, asking inane or ridiculous questions or in a manner which makes it clear they're going to be more trouble than they're worth.

    • -2

      I don't sell stuff, but I'll turn away prospective clients if they seem like the type to whine and complain about everything, and probably still end up unsatisfied. Not worth the potential headaches down the line.

      • do you know the models of the two keyboards OP bought?

        • Hahahah I've seen you ask this a bit.

          OP hasn't mentioned it, but the most common tenkeyless keyboard that Razer sells is their BlackWidow mechanical one, so I assume OP bought the full-size BlackWidow first, then bought the tenkeyless version after.

          Which specific model (Chroma/etc?) I couldn't begin to guess.

          • @HighAndDry: yeah i asked but no one knows or wants to answer

            I also asked the OP
            but he is no longer replying and seems to have abandon this thread after facing backlash from most people here

            I think he was either looking for
            -support
            -or to indirectly shame computer alliance

            It is surprising that OP didn't have an existing keyboard that they were using
            to know that the one with a numpad would not fit on their corner desk.

            I think it is possible to fit the full size keyboad + mouse on a corner desk
            if OP bought a full size mouse mat that lets the keyboard sit on top of it
            and put it on the actual desk and not on some sliding keyboard/mouse tray (if that desk had one)..

            so the original keyboard could've look something like this?
            and the tenless one is just missing the numpad?

            https://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackWidow-Chroma-Mechanical-Ke…

  • +1

    beauty of capitalism

    they can choose not to have your business

    you can choose to do your business elsewhere

    • what if it was Communism?

      • he'd probs be told to man up and use the keyboard he chose to buy without measuring his desk first

        no refunds! no exchange! no return!

  • +3

    behind the scenes

    Op: I would like to return a keyboard I purchased because it doesn't fit my desk

    CA: Bloody hell, we have another customer wants to return because of change of mind, but he has open it. We have to charge him and sell it as new but opened.

    Op:But i didnt use it… Nvm I will just complained with eBay Plus support because I paid for it.

    CA: bastard made us refund the cost, now we have to sell it as restocked goods.

    In the near future…

    Op: why you guys cancelled my order?

    CA: we are banning you m@#$$_$&&-, go use your dollar at other store. We don't want trouble maker.

    Op: why???? I just want to buy something from you guys.

    Seems like every business practice have a blacklist of customers whom they do not want to do business with.

    You do not change the t&C of how the business run because of eBay plus, it's just a membership to get discount, free delivery and returns and the returns are usually for faulty goods not change of mind or mistakes.

    Anyway chill out plenty of IT stores…just make sure you think carefully before you make your next purchase and if any booboo happens, you always have eBay plus to complain again or the next online store to get banned.

    Consumer change of mind. Generally, a store does not have to give a refund or replacement if a customer simply changes their mind about a product. Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), the customer is only entitled to choose a refund or replacement for a major problem with a product covered by consumer guarantees.

  • +5

    I can only comment on CA as an ebay merchant as being positive. I have no Returns experience with them.

    CA continue to provide excellent fulfilment on EVERY purchase.

    CA even contacted me to reverse an order and reubsmit, as there was a pending discount code commencing later that morning.

    The OP appears to have no legitimate basis for a full refund return unless he/she expressly relied on information provided by CA (or the manufacturer) that the dimensions would be suitable.

    Otherwise the purchase is a change of mind. CA could have provided a full refund (not obligated by Australian Consumer Law though) if the product box was still sealed.

    https://pages2.ebay.com.au/plus/faq#return-free
    NOted that EBay Plus include CHANGE OF MIND for Free Returns. Returning an unsealed item incurs restocking charges for the merchant. They can choose whether to retain you as a customer if it's going to continue to cost them….

    The goods were opened (would you want to pay new price for an opened box?) and there is a cost involved to the merchant.

    Its feasible that CA have a policy of not accepting "difficult customers" and actions of initiating a return via ebay can cost them reputation and admin time.

    So you need to probably humble up and convince CA you are not a "difficult customer" and clear up the misunderstanding.

  • +4

    bugs the hell out of me how un-self aware the OP is. Either very young or very stupid or both.

    • The OP seemed to be hoping to use eBay Plus to allow him free unlimited returns when buying, using, returning each and every mechanical keyboard that he saw a youtube review about. I might be wrong, but that's my read on the situation.

  • How much was this keyboard we are talking about?

  • +3

    Take this as a learning experience my friend. One day you will need to buy white goods, TV's, furniture for your place. Learn to measure how much space you have because Ebay ain't giving you a free return on a couch.

    I actually find it funny you knew the desk had limited space but didn't think to check the dimensions of the keyboard when buying it. I know my desk isn't deep. I always check the stand footprint before buying a monitor.

  • +2

    "what happens if something happens to an item that's under warranty"

    Don't ever expect any random sellers on eBay to honor warranty that are not registered businesses, after eBay/PayPal protection runs out there is literately nothing you can do to enforce a seller to honor a warranty a year later.

    As for experiences of getting banned, it's half expected when returning goods even if it's %100 their fault and has happened multiple times to me.

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